Kunming

From Free net encyclopedia

Image:Kunming.png Kunming (Template:Zh-cpw) is the capital of Yunnan province, China with a population estimated on 1,055.000 in 2006 (agglomeration 2,4 million). It is located at the northern edge of the massive Lake Dian and has a population of more than four million. Because of its year-round temperate weather, Kunming is often called the "Spring City (春城)."

Image:Kunming-canal-20030824.jpg

1 Geography
2 History
3 Economy
4 Colleges and universities
5 External links

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Geography

Kunming is situated atop a plateau in Yunnan Province. It enjoys a protected location with mountains surrounding the city on three sides, and a lake to the south.

Elevation: 1900 meters (6200 feet) above sea level

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History

Early townships in the southern edge of Dianchi (outside the comtemporary city parameter) can be dated back to 279 BC, although long since lost to history.

In 765 AD, Tuodong (拓东) city was founded.

In the 13th century, Marco Polo is thought to have traveled to this area and written about his fascination. The city was renamed Kunming by the Mongol rulers of the Yuan dynasty in 1276.

In the 14th century, Kunming was retaken by the Ming dynasty, which built a wall surrounding present-day Kunming.

In the 19th century, Kunming suffered at the hands of rebel leader Du Wenxiu, the Sultan of Dali, who attacked and besieged the city several times between 1858 and 1868. Decades later Kunming began to be influenced by the West.

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Economy

Kunming's economy was ranked 14th of all Chinese cities in 1992. The salt and phosphate mines around Kunming are some of China's best. Because of its location in the remote corner of China, Kunming has generally been ignored by China’s rapid economic growth in the 1990s. However, recently the city has received renewed attention, launching Kunming into an international hub that China desperately needs to access different areas of South and Southeast Asia. Several railroads and highways have been planned to connect Kunming to areas of Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, providing Kunming access to sea ports. Kunming economic authorities are active participants in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS), promoting trade throughout China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar [Burma], Thailand, and Vietnam.

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